Boardwalk Mask Ban Floated In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Is banning face masks on the Boardwalk a potential solution to recent chaos at the shore? Not according to Ocean City Police Chief Bill Campbell, who warned that such an ordinance would be a "kneejerk reaction" and would not be effective.

With a teenage stabbing, six between the ages of 13 and 16 being caught in a stolen car and more going on in Ocean City in the past few weeks, officials are seeking ways to ensure the island stays a safe place for all families. One suggestion was to ban face masks (except for religious and medical reasons) as seen in video of the Memorial Day weekend stabbing. But police rejected that.

"I don't think we should draft something where there's not an issue," Campbell told City Council at a recent meeting. He compared it to last summer's backpack ban, which came as a result of chaos from Memorial Day weekend 2023. Campbell said before that ban, there were beach parties where teenagers used their backpacks to transport alcohol, fireworks and more. Since its implementation, the ban has been "very effective," he said.

Campbell also said he reached out to his senior staff for their thoughts on a mask ban and while he got some "mixed opinions," overall "we're largely non-supportive," he said.

"Really for constitutional reasons, enforcement reasons," he explained. "Potential liability for the city."

He referenced how ski masks were banned in Philadelphia to deter crime, but has not been enforced.

"I'm not in favor of it," Campbell said.

Officials statewide are looking for solutions. A recent independent hearing by Sen. Michael Testa featured Republican leaders and law enforcement officials discussing their thoughts on the subject. Read more: Teen Rowdiness At Jersey Shore Parent’s Fault, Officials Say